The verses of this gospel hymn was written around 1880 by English clergyman, Vernon J. Charlesworth. Ira Sankey added the chorus, wrote the music, and copyrighted the song in 1885 under the title "My God Is the Rock of My Refuge," from Psalm 94:22 "But the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge."
Sankey wrote of this hymn:
"I found this hymn in a small paper published in London, called The Postman. It was said to be a favorite song of the fisherman on the north coast of England, and they were often heard singing it as they approached their harbors in the time of storm. As the hymn was set to weird minor tune, I decided to compose one that would be more practical, one that could be more easily sung by the people."